WiFi Timers

I have just attended a class on new technology in the irrigation industry and learned that most new WiFi timers are being produced with a 3-5 year shelf life...meaning the technology will be outdated in 3-5 years so the home owner will have to replace them...the instructor called this 'planned obsoletism'...is this true...He also stated that the first generation of Nest Theromostats are coming to the end of their life...comments?

Hunter Hydrawise controllers are updated regulary via Wi—Fi. The firmware and software will always be current including new features and upgrades. This happens automatically and we also verify that the controller received the updates successfully.

I have just attended a class on new technology in the irrigation industry and learned that most new WiFi timers are being produced with a 3-5 year shelf life...meaning the technology will be outdated in 3-5 years so the home owner will have to replace them...the instructor called this 'planned obsoletism'...is this true...He also stated that the first generation of Nest Theromostats are coming to the end of their life...comments?

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Rain Bird has built its brand by doing the opposite of this and is certainly not going to change now. This is not at all true for Rain Bird. If the person was speaking on behalf of or about Rain Bird, please send me a private message so this can be addressed.

I have just attended a class on new technology in the irrigation industry and learned that most new WiFi timers are being produced with a 3-5 year shelf life...meaning the technology will be outdated in 3-5 years so the home owner will have to replace them...the instructor called this 'planned obsoletism'...is this true...He also stated that the first generation of Nest Theromostats are coming to the end of their life...comments?

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Ask yourself this-if the tech is outdated in 3-5 years-so what? Will the timer still function? Most likely unless a hardware failure unrelated to software occurs.

I recently questioned one of the leading irrigation manufacturer reps about why "firmware" or software updates were necessary. He told me because things are changing so rapidly that it is necessary. I pressed him to further explain why and he couldn't put two words together that made any sense.

How "rapidly" are things actually changing? Remember something about smart controllers-regardless of any bells and whistles yet to come there remains a constant-landscapes don't change. They are still a mix of plant material, water requirements, soil textures, slopes, sun, shade, root zone depths and all manner of inputs needed to program the devices properly. How much better can the controllers get? Probably a lot but to what end? Do we really need to talk to our home bots to turn on the sprinklers when our daughter's slackard boyfriend shows up? Does any legitimate irrigation contractor want their clients to play phone swipe and screw with the program they so painstakingly devised? No, no a thousands times no!

So don't sweat it. If you want to install a Smart controller go right ahead. Don't worry about what's coming next as it won't be a shocker (unless the next app is an implant into the client's skull whereby they can will a zone to activate and instantly transmit their uninformed opinion to you-at that point just dump the client!).

Did you take this course at the IANJ Winter Tech with Chris P. as your instructor?

Ask yourself this-if the tech is outdated in 3-5 years-so what? Will the timer still function? Most likely unless a hardware failure unrelated to software occurs.

I recently questioned one of the leading irrigation manufacturer reps about why "firmware" or software updates were necessary. He told me because things are changing so rapidly that it is necessary. I pressed him to further explain why and he couldn't put two words together that made any sense.

How "rapidly" are things actually changing? Remember something about smart controllers-regardless of any bells and whistles yet to come there remains a constant-landscapes don't change. They are still a mix of plant material, water requirements, soil textures, slopes, sun, shade, root zone depths and all manner of inputs needed to program the devices properly. How much better can the controllers get? Probably a lot but to what end? Do we really need to talk to our home bots to turn on the sprinklers when our daughter's slackard boyfriend shows up? Does any legitimate irrigation contractor want their clients to play phone swipe and screw with the program they so painstakingly devised? No, no a thousands times no!

So don't sweat it. If you want to install a Smart controller go right ahead. Don't worry about what's coming next as it won't be a shocker (unless the next app is an implant into the client's skull whereby they can will a zone to activate and instantly transmit their uninformed opinion to you-at that point just dump the client!).

Did you take this course at the IANJ Winter Tech with Chris P. as your instructor?

I can never hold back the question "What are you going to accomplish with a snazzy cutting-edge Wi-Fi Controller?"

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It seems this technology is being requested by the end user...the client...more and more clients are asking about wifi timers...so if we dont learn about this and provide it to our client...some one else will...